Alex Chediak

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Theology

Baptism and Church Membership

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Justin Taylor agrees with Al Mohler on the necessity of believer's baptism as a prerequisite for church membership. (I'm setting aside the issue of the Lord's Supper for now.) Both reference a withdrawn proposal by the Elders at Bethlehem Baptist Church (BBC). The issue is: Should churches whose elders already lean towards a baptistic position (i.e., baptist churches) require believers baptism for membership? To get a handle on the topic, here are three statements I think both sides would agree upon: 1. Membership in a local church is very important for all Christians. 2. Churches need … [Read more...] about Baptism and Church Membership

Alex Strauch – Leading with Love

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Alexander Strauch's new book, Leading with Love, was published this year. Having previously written on ecclesiological matters (such as the role of Elders and Deacons), and on nitty-gritty, practical matters like how to run meetings that work, Strauch now deals with the indispensable nature of love in the life of the Christian leader. With over 30 years of pastoral experience at the same church, Strauch writes out of a full heart not just for his flock, but for the future of Christian leaders, both among the laity (teachers, small group leaders, etc.) and those paid by the church. Srauch … [Read more...] about Alex Strauch – Leading with Love

Preaching and the Old Testament

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My summer reading will include theological works which are part of my curriculum at The Bethlehem Institute (the vocational ministry training program of Bethlehem Baptist Church). First on the docket is Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture by Graeme Goldsworthy. In the first chapter, Goldsworthy mentions the difficulty associated with finding Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. Some quotes: "The message of the Old Testament is too easily reduced to the imitation of godly examples and the avoidance of the ungodly example." "The nature of the relationship between the salvation … [Read more...] about Preaching and the Old Testament

Complementarianism and the T4G statement

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I have heard some rumblings about the fact that the Together for the Gospel Statement made an issue of complementarianism --- that view which maintains that the Bible prescribes distinct roles for men and women in the home and in the church. Mark Dever has a very thoughtful post that in some ways, I think, responds to the concerns being expressed. Dever's conclusion: "Of course there are issues more central to the gospel than gender issues. However, there may be no way the authority of Scripture is being undermined more quickly or more thoroughly in our day than through the … [Read more...] about Complementarianism and the T4G statement